"Kent Lou and families. Jerry and I loved your dad so much. Bless him for all the genealogy work he did for us and future generations. Such a caring man. His flower expertise help me as well. Love you, Amy"
In loving memory of
James N. Williams
December 20, 1922 - July 9, 2018
James N. "Jim" Williams, 95, of Kokomo, died 7-8-2018. Jim was born in 1922 in Columbus, Indiana, the son of Louis and Mae (McKain) Williams. On June 2, 1956 he married Mildred I. McClellan of Dugger, Indiana. She preceded him in death.
Jim graduated from Hope High School in 1940, and Purdue University in 1948 with a BA degree, and in 1952 with a Master's Degree in Education. Jim taught high school for five years.
Jim worked three years in the Education Department of the Indiana Farm Bureau Cooperative. It was during this time he was awarded the Hoosier Farmer Degree by the Indiana Chapter of the Future Farmers of America. This award was in recognition for creating the Chapter Star Farmer Award for the Indiana Chapter of the Future Farmers of America.
In 1957, Jim became an instructor for General Motors Institute in Flint, Michigan. In 1959 he transferred to Delco Radio in Kokomo to establish a training department for Delco. He was Director of Organizational Development and Training at Delco at the time of his retirement in 1988.
For 26 years Jim was president of the Taylor Township School Building Corporation that financed and built the original Indian Heights School. When Taylor Township incorporated the school system, he served on that school board for eight years.
Jim was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church. He held many different positions in the church. In 2008 the Northern Indiana United Methodist Church presented him with the Bread and Basin Award for his lifetime of service to the church and to the community.
Jim was a charter member of the Taylor Lions Club and the Taylor Youth Organization. He was a charter director of the Howard County Volunteers for Youth. The late Judge Kinsey made Jim an honorary member of the Howard Circuit Court for having served ten years in the volunteer youth probation program. He had received youth awards from the National Management Club of which he was a life member. He also received numerous awards for work in the YMCA and United Way.
Jim was a life member of the American Legion and the Institute of Certified Professional Managers. He was a 69 year member of the Masonic Lodge #150 F and AM at Hope, Indiana. In the later years of retirement he was a very active volunteer in the Kokomo Urban Outreach Program.
He is survived by two sons and their wives, Lou and Julie Williams of Kokomo, and, Kent and Teresa Williams of Carmel, and five grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, JoAnn Hayworth of Columbus, IN.
In keeping with his strict wishes, there will be no service. Interment will be at Hickory Cemetery near Dugger, Indiana. Memorials can be made to Grace United Methodist Church, or, Kokomo Urban Outreach, both in Kokomo.
To share a memory, please visit www.leppertmortuary.com.
Tributes
"Many years ago we made a pie and delivered it to Jim, our neighbor. My boys were maybe 3&5 then and now 23&25. They thought Jim Williams was so cool because he invited them into his home and played a couple of games with us. Lots of good memories of Jim shared at Grace UMC. Please know his spirit and kindness will always be remembered. Ann Bradshaw"
"mr. williams was our dear friend. we moved into his neighborhood about 16 years ago. he made us feel so welcome. he always shared his warm smile and his yummy cookies. along with many plant starts that grow everywhere in our yard. jim williams will live on in our hearts for ever. we love him. steve and bev allen and family"